Project 365, Week 43

Right now I'm sitting in a quiet, dark hotel room with the sweetest little boy sleeping next to me, Blankie shoved in his mouth.  He hasn't been feeling great so he's been all about Momma this weekend.  Shaun is down splashing in the water with the kids before the second show tonight.  Pretty much, life is sweet.

This part of the country is "a buzz" in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy.  In fact, Z's school just called to say they are cancelling Monday and Tuesday.  Water and bread are long since cleared off the shelves and everyone is doing whatever preparations they can.  This stuff makes me crazy, but after last year, I don't blame people for trying to be a little more prepared.  MANY were out of power a week in August with Tropical Storm Irene and then again with the snow storm the end of October, just one year ago.

Anyway, living in the city, high on a hill and with a woodstove, we don't have a ton to worry about, but I'm praying for those who do.

And now, on to our exciting week!

October 21
My location for an engagement session...so pretty around here right now!

 When I got home, we went to watch Daddy play football.

Oh, how I dislike "screens".  The kids get very little time on them, during the week because of school, homework and activities and on the weekends because of activities and being out, etc.  But, this Sunday they got some time...I thought this was so funny.

 October 22
Chatty girls.  I just love our walking time to and from school.

 Second parent-teacher conference, this is Avery's classroom.

October 23
Going down the hill...these fall mornings are so beautiful with the sun coming up through the colorful trees.

Shaun and I went on a date since he was leaving (again!) the next morning.  Clearly, they were really suffering in our absence.

 October 24
My Aiden-guy.  I had a 2.5 hour training and he played in the playroom quietly by himself the whole time, interrupting me just once to go potty.  He's pretty amazing.  Its our little tradition to stop for ice cream on our way home.

 Meanwhile, Shaun and Avery were in Massachusetts, setting up for another weekend of Lost in Vegas.  Avery was in heaven having a baby to help care for.  Its her cousins cousin, so we're claiming him!

October 25
We went out to breakfast to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday.  Here she is with her four children, not looking a day over 39!

 Since Shaun was away I brought Aiden and since I brought Aiden my sisters brought their three-year olds as well.  They were QUITE pleased to see each other.

October 26

After a crazy morning, I got the kids out of school at noon and we headed up to Fitchburg, MA to join up with Shaun and Avery and the rest of the cast and crew of Lost in Vegas.  Within moments we were unpacked and changed and on our way to pool and hot tub.

 Then we met up with the rest of the group, had dinner and then we to do sounds checks.

 October 27
We drove back home for Z's playoff game.  They lost and will not be going to the SuperBowl, but Z played his heart out and he had lots of fans there.  Here he is running in a touchdown.

 Back up to MA.  The kids went for another swim then we went to opening night!  Awesome show!

Here's a sneak peek at how we spent much of our day today...

Beauty For Ashes

This morning on the way to school, a woman called to me from her porch, Do you have cigarette?  From the looks of her, nicotine wouldn't have even made a dent in what she needed.  I said, no, I'm sorry and quickly tried to walk the kids past before their inevitable barrage of questions and comments.  Avery and Amanda think that smoking is the greatest "sin" there could possibly be and Amanda was astounded that the lady had asked me.

After I got Amanda to school, I began to wish I'd offered to pray with her in place of the cigarette I couldn't provide her.  Or maybe I should go buy a pack, bring her one and then ask to pray with her.  When I went back (cigarette-less) she was gone.

An hour later I was sitting in a training class, all about the effects of trauma.  Children everywhere, people everywhere, experience so much trauma, and it can permeate every fiber of who they are.  It changes even the simple things, like eating habits and affectionate hugs.  It affects everyone they come in contact with.

Later in the evening I was talking to my dad and he (a pastor) has been helping a woman in his church whose son is about to lose his battle with cancer....in his 30's, with a wife and four children.

We talked about my brother (a chaplain) who is trying to address the alarming suicide rate among soldiers who have returned from war.

Z comes home from football practice and I warm up dinner for him and chat.  We read a devotion that happens to be about being "born again", which gets us talking about heaven and eventually he asks why doesn't Jesus just come now and give the devil his due.

Why.  Why is there so much suffering?  There is so much I don't understand, especially in this world of foster care that I now reside in.

Tonight, I surrender my heavy and questioning heart and take comfort in these words from Isaiah 61:

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, because the LORD has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.

2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.

3 To all who mourn in Israel, he will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. For the LORD has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities long ago destroyed. They will revive them, though they have been empty for many generations.

5 Foreigners will be your servants. They will feed your flocks and plow your fields and tend your vineyards.

6 You will be called priests of the LORD, ministers of our God. You will be fed with the treasures of the nations and will boast in their riches.

7 Instead of shame and dishonor, you will inherit a double portion of prosperity and everlasting joy.

8 “For I, the LORD, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them.

9 Their descendants will be known and honored among the nations. Everyone will realize that they are a people the LORD has blessed.”  

Littlest Warrior

Aiden's all time favorite story is David and Goliath.  He always requests that one when we read and his sisters always groan but we all give in because he's cute and passionate and the baby.

He acts it out, taking turns being David and then Goliath.  We have a song about it that has been the second most requested bedtime song for a good spell now, right behind old faithful Jesus Loves Me.

So you can understand why, when I saw this, and with the offer of free shipping, I just couldn't resist.

And the smiles (on both their faces) made it totally worth it.

Since, we've had many sighting of this warrior.  Sometimes he is mean ol' Goliath and other times he is a soldier in the army of the Lord.

I taught him a song I learned about 25ish years ago (my siblings...and maybe Shaun's sister...will appreciate this):

I've got my helmet and my breastplate and my sword of the spirit,

My shield of faith, I'm wrapped in truth, my feet carry good news

So stand up straight and stand up tall, we're in God's army

So tell the world to fight the war in Jesus' name.

On Z's birthday, when Aiden and I delivered cupcakes to his class, Aiden wanted to wear his armor.  It didn't take him long before he realized everyone was looking at him and saying he was cute.  He couldn't understand it.

Love the joy and spirit this little guy brings to our home!

 The cutest little warrior I ever did see!

 The backwards short are my favorite here.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 

Ephesians 6:13-17

Project 365, Week 42

Sorry I'm late posting...again!

These weeks!  Where do they go and how does so much get put in them??  

In general, I have learned the art of being content.  Can you imagine if I was holding my joy for "when things slow down"?  

Each day is filled with more blessings than I can contain and I'm so grateful for the strength God gives me for each new day.  Only through HIM!

October 14

It was a bit painful waking up the day after the race (and the next two days after that!) but I dragged myself out of bed and packed up for a photo shoot.  By the time I'd gotten most of the way there, it was determined it was raining too much to be outside, so we postponed.

When I finally got home, I was anxious to sit on the couch and get some time with the kids.  We watched a very funny Winnie the Pooh movie that all four of us were laughing at.

I rarely watch tv at my house (two hours a month, if Shaun talks me into a movie), but on this day it was just right!

 Later we went to visit some friends who we hadn't seen in way too long.  They have a beautiful, expansive yard and it was a gorgeous day for sitting outside.  The kids all played well together and we ate apple pie right out of the oven.  So nice to catch up!

 October 15
Shaun's project for several days this week was wiring our bedroom.  Our home was built in 1895 so things like light switches and outlets are a rarity.

In order to do that, he had to open up parts of the floor on the third floor, and in order to do that, I had to move some junk treasured possessions.  Many garbage bags went and lots of boxes got donated and it doesn't look a whole lot different.  I need to get disciplined about working up there, because one day the mood is going to strike Shaun and he's going to make us a bedroom up there (we seem to be using up the ones we have.  :)

Shaun doubled our outlets (we now have two!) and added a light switch for the closet and one for the room...so fancy!  (Try not to be jealous of our circa 1950 wallpaper).

October 16
I bought these tops for the girls to wear at Christmas.  Why did I think they'd hang nicely in the closet until then??

 "Mom...give me some pwivacy".

 October 17
Since the girls cheerleading practice night had gotten switched, just the five of us were home while Z was at football practice.  I have no idea when the last time was that we sat down for a family dinner of five at home.  Months, perhaps.

It was nice, especially since I'd spent six hours that day with Z "stuff"...continuing ed training, a meeting at his school with five others on "team Z" and a social worker visit.

 October 18
The girls had a half day but Z did not so my three had several hours together.  They played so happily in the girls room.  In the rare times when he is gone and we are not, the kids play SO well together...they are happy doing the same little kid pretend games, Avery plays with dolls and Amanda is more cooperative.

When he's not here things are different...they just are.  It was a blessing to listen to them imagine together and enjoy each other's company.

 Later, I had an afternoon of family photo shoots.  The kids came with me for the first one because it was their cousin.  You can see all of them HERE, if you're interested.

 Beautiful backdrop.

 October 19
Shaun left first thing in the morning and stayed overnight and all the next day to do sound for a men's conference.  He was THE man!

October 20
I was tagged in this photo during the wedding I shot.  (That's me on the far left).  It was another out-of-the-house-on-the-go for fifteen hours day.

But at the end I got to see this face (my growing niece) and Shaun!  AND, I had my second really good apple pie of the week.  Do you see what I mean?  The blessings overflow!

When we got home at 9:30, Uncle Nathan and Auntie were there to pick the kids up.  They took them out of the city enough to get dark and open sky to view the meteor shower.  He put an air mattress in the back of Shaun's pickup and they watched the sky.  In the first five minutes they saw an amazing one....a first for all four kids....how special!

I asked him if he'd taken any pictures he said "no.  I should have seeing all of them huddled under a blanket in the back of the truck...".

Alas, my third screen shot of the week.  :)

It Is But a Stage

Wherever we are, it is but a stage on the way to somewhere else, and whatever we do, however well we do it, it is only a preparation to do something else that shall be different.

~Robert Louis Stevenson

New Cheerleader in Town

Because of the race, I joined up with football/cheerleading late this past week.  When I got there, Z's game was winding down (they lost bad) and Amanda was being asked to fill in for a cheerleader who had quit without notice.

She was honored and a little scared but she quickly agreed.

I just love this outfit that ended up happening.  :)

 Three grandmas made it out to show their support.

Pink ribbons for breast cancer awareness month.  :)

Little Brother, always with the smile.

 Amanda kept up amazingly well for not having practiced with the team.

 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men 

Colossians 3:23